Congratulations Alayna!!
Alayna from our Sylvania branch passed her CSP certification, and is beyond excited about it!
Considering a Manufacturing Job? Here’s Why You Should!
Recent grads rarely talk about pursuing a career in manufacturing. By failing to do so, they are missing a great opportunity. The competition in many fields can be quite fierce, but the manufacturing sector is actively pursuing potential employees right now.
Manufacturing conjures up pictures of low-skilled labor and dirty working conditions, but as technological advances have improved other industries, the manufacturing sector today is not the same as the factory jobs of yesteryear. Sophisticated equipment and automation processes have replaced many of the low-skilled positions once held by people. To keep facilities in working order, they require skilled hands to operate the computers and robotics that now perform the work.
In-Demand Fields in Manufacturing
Graduates with talent and education in the areas of mathematics, science, IT, and engineering can all find a home in industrial workplaces. Often, equipment is controlled via computer interfaces and through the use of specific coding. In the fabrication industry, mathematics and drafting skills can be vital to the creation of new products and the improvement of current offerings. The ability to analyze data, and make improvements, is valuable and those skills can be acquired through a variety of mathematical, technical, and scientific degree programs.
Those with degrees in business administration may also be able to secure entry-level management positions, as well as those with supervisory experience and other applicable skills.
Additional Knowledge Base
In some cases, a relevant degree may be all you need. At other times, having some skills and knowledge in certain manufacturing processes may also be required. This does not mean you have to obtain an entirely new degree. Instead, consider supplementing your knowledge with an extra course or two designed to help you familiarize yourself with the technology involved.
For example, equipment manufacturers and distributors may have courses or materials you can review. If you know which equipment is in use at particular sites, you can take the time to learn information that is relevant to their current processes. This can help differentiate you from others who may apply.
Community colleges and technical schools may also have courses that can give you an advantage over the competition. As mentioned before, obtaining an entirely new degree is often not necessary. An extra class or two can provide you with an industry-specific foundation upon which you can enter the manufacturing world with greater ease.
On-the-Job Training
Some manufacturing facilities may be prepared to train the right candidate. If you possess a degree or skill set that can be of value, they may be comfortable with introducing you to the ins-and-outs of an industrial workplace. As skill gaps widen, the practice of offering opportunities to train may increase to help attract new applicants.
Often, the ability to learn new systems comes with the job. It can provide a clear path for advancement and future success within the selected business or a larger part of the manufacturing industry. If labor shortages continue to affect the sector, advancement opportunities may become more accessible as businesses compete for the best talent.
If you are interested in starting a career in the manufacturing sector, Advance Staffing Solutions can help. Contact us today to see what jobs may be available to you.
How to Prevent Work Stress and Health Problems
Stress. It’s a part of life. But there comes a point when the usual work stress devolves into something more. As the stress builds, your performance begins to suffer. Productivity wanes, and you may begin to experience a variety of physical symptoms or health problems.
While you can’t control everything in your work environment, there are a number of things within your realm to manage. If it feels as though the stress is beginning to build to the point of being unhealthy, consider these tips to get it back under control.
Identify the Source
The thing that ultimately sets a person off is rarely the original source of the issue. The same can often be said with stress. Examine any recent changes in your schedule, both personal and professional, such as overtime requirements or increased responsibilities at home. Consider if there is a particular task or deadline that is pushing you into uncomfortable territory, or if the threat of a job loss is in the air.
At times, a single influence may be largely responsible. At others, it could be the cumulative effect of many recent changes. Understanding where the stress is actually coming from is a great first step to solving the issue. It can guide you in the right direction to find a resolution.
Speak with Your Manager
If a change in workload, professionally or personally, or a feeling of uncertainty about your job is driving the stress response, schedule a time to speak with your manager. Discuss your concerns or challenges openly for the purpose of receiving constructive feedback. You may find that fears about your performance are unfounded, or that the situation is due to change in the near future. In cases where the stress is from your personal life, but affecting your professional life, you may be able to find the support or assistance you required to better manage the situation as a whole.
Get Organized
When it feels like the work is never-ending, or that there are too many conflicting priorities, taking the time to get organized can help put things in perspective. It is easy to get into a frantic mindset. Once there, it is difficult to focus and keep information straight. By dedicating some time to solely the activity of getting organized, you can better assess what is really in front of you. This will help you create a battle plan to address the tasks in an order that makes sense, and with the knowledge that nothing will be overlooked.
Say “No” and Delegate
Maybe someone wants a favor, or they are truly unaware of your current workload. No matter the reason, you are under no specific obligation to take on a task that doesn’t have to be yours. If you truly can’t take on anymore, don’t be afraid to say no.
Along a similar line, make sure to delegate tasks when appropriate. Not every task has to land in your hands. If someone else is equipped to do a solid job, and they have the time to manage the task, feel free to hand it off. That way, you know it has been covered while not having to personally carry it.
Is Your Company Shorthanded?
Sometimes having an extra set of hands, even for a few days, is all you need to get some of your tasks handled. Here at Advance Staffing, we have the experience and knowledge necessary to help you figure out exactly the time of worker you need to get through this rough patch. Contact us today for a more relaxing tomorrow.
Welcome Megan!
We would like to introduce Megan, she recently joined our office in Southgate as the Administrative Assistant. Megan is originally from the Downriver area and she will be bringing her years of Customer Service experience to our team! She is eager to learn more about the Staffing industry and help our applicants every day. If you are looking for work in the Southern Wayne County area, please visit Megan and the rest of our team in Southgate!
Are You a Hard Worker…Or an Over-Worker?
Normally, being considered a hard worker is a great thing. It means you are pushing yourself to perform at the highest possible level. However, there comes a point where the desire to excel actually becomes harmful to you and your work. Before you push yourself over the line from being a hard worker to an over-worker, consider these points.
Understand What Productivity Means
It is easy to confuse being a hard worker with being productive. You’re constantly in motion, checking this, sending that, but you may not actually be accomplishing much. Spreading yourself too thin and constantly jumping from one small task to the next may not result in much meaningful progress.
Often, productivity requires focus. It is more important to have quality results than to simply put in more time. Success isn’t about quantity, it’s about quality. If you produce quality work, you will be appreciated even if you didn’t have to pull overtime to do it.
Always Being On the Clock
While some work following you home from time to time may be normal, certain aspects of your job should be dropped firmly at the door. While some people find they can add incredible value to their projects by working flexibly outside of business hours, interrupting your evening every five minutes to answer an incoming email is likely unnecessary.
Instead of being virtually chained to your job at all times, feel free to leave any non-emergency until the next business day. Often, the difference between answering an email at 10:00pm on Tuesday or 8:00am on Wednesday is minimal.
Signs of Burnout
If every moment you spend working on a project makes you feel miserable, and it’s taking you longer to get certain tasks done, you may be reaching the point of burnout. Burnout can have a variety of physical and mental symptoms. You may become stressed more easily, or have feelings of anxiety or depression. Your energy level will be low, and your work will likely suffer. You may find yourself so worried about your performance that you skip breaks, lunches, time at home, and even vacations.
People who push themselves too hard often experience symptoms of burnout. And, these issues normally only get worse with more work, not better. If you have put so much pressure on yourself that the idea of continuing makes you physically ill, you are definitely over-working.
To combat burnout, you need to set some boundaries regarding how your work and life intermix. If you haven’t taken any time off in a while, it may be ideal to get away from those responsibilities and recharge. And, while you are off work, leave everything at the office. Give yourself a real break from the issues and stresses that have pushed you to this point. It will give you a chance to see that everything will not come crashing down.
Is It the Job?
In some cases, you will be pushed to overwork because that is the nature of the job. If your work is taking over your life in a negative way, it may be time to find something new. Luckily, Advance Staffing Solutions is here to help. Contact us today and see what jobs are available.
5 Ways to Prove You’re Ready for a Warehouse Promotion
Sometimes you just know that you are ready for a promotion. But the decision isn’t just up to you. You have to make sure your supervisor, manager, and other powers that be feel the same way. So, how do you go about proving that you are up to a new challenge? Consider these five tips to get you started.
1. Be a “Go To” Employee
If you want to make an impression, be the employee that solves problems. Take the opportunity to provide additional benefit to the company by doing more than just reporting problems and waiting for instructions. If you think you have an answer, offer it when you bring the issue to the attention of the proper people. This shows that you have initiative and that you are able to find your own solutions.
By making this a trend in how you report issues, they may think of you when other problems arise. Being considered an expert problem-solver is an ideal place to be.
2. Take (Temporary) Leadership Roles
There is more to running an organization than the nitty-gritty of daily work. Many businesses have a variety of events throughout the year. Maybe your company is making an appearance at a job fair or is planning an employee appreciation event. If the opportunity to volunteer for groups and committees that are running an event, even casual ones, you give yourself a chance to demonstrate your leadership and management skills in a noticeable way.
3. Assist Your Supervisor
Sometimes, the easiest way to get the opportunity to learn the tasks associated with a promotion is to do some of the work. Speak with your boss about opportunities to learn, or to take certain tasks off of their plate. Offer to lead the next staff meeting, or create training materials for new employees. See if there is a project you can oversee, or if they could simply use a hand. You will gain experience in some of the key areas of working in a leadership position for your company and can score kudos along the way.
4. Improve Your Skills in Relevant Ways
Learn what the weak points in the group’s skillsets, and fill in the gaps. Cross-train into relevant areas, and pursue educational and training opportunities whenever possible. Take time to learn the ins and outs of the entire business, and see what you can do to provide more value than you already do.
5. Ask for a Promotion
Sometimes the easiest way to get a promotion is to ask for one. Managers rarely spend their time worrying about who they will promote next. Your career is your priority, not theirs. By being upfront about your desire for a promotion, you make sure your name is on the table.
This also opens a dialogue about current opportunities, as well as if they think you have the skills necessary. If they seem hesitant, ask if there is anything that you need to work on to be considered. Consider this discussion a positive, as it will provide insight you may otherwise miss out on.
If you are looking for a new position or promotional opportunity, contact Advance Staffing Solutions today! Let their 25 years of staffing experience work for you.
4 Ways to Find Your Next Great Employee!
Finding the perfect person to fill a job vacancy can be a challenge. With all of the places you can use to find a great match, it can begin to feel like a chore very quickly. Instead of letting the hassle get to you, consider these potential sources to find your next candidate.
Local Community Job Sites
Many states have organizations designed to help the unemployed, or those seeking new opportunities, a portal to find new jobs. Often, candidates can post their resumes or profiles just as they would on other job sites. Even though the job board mechanism is well-known and widely used, these job boards focus on gathering opportunities for those in the local community. That way, when you run a search, you are more likely to find a person within a reasonable commuting distance from your location.
These services frequently make appearances at job fairs and other unemployment events. This means that much of the local population is aware of their presence. If a job fair is occurring at a nearby college or university, they may even be a rarely tapped resource for local graduates looking for work in their new field of expertise.
Events, Conventions, and Seminars
Job fairs aren’t the only events where you can find new candidates. In fact, events, conventions, and seminars about the field can provide an excellent opportunity to network and reach out to talented individuals from the industry. At times, you may find an ideal candidate through the casual, but structured interactions that are scheduled within the event. Other times, you may have the opportunity to learn about new candidates through old-fashioned word-of-mouth.
Either way, anyone attending an industry specific event likely has a deep interest in the work. This can create a target-rich environment from which to recruit for your company’s needs, as well as an opportunity to expand your professional network.
Wherever You Notice Someone Exceptional
You may happen upon a great candidate during your day-to-day living. For example, a particularly talented sales representative working in a retail environment may have the skills to work in sales for your business. If someone is doing a great job, don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for a resume, or see if you can connect another way.
Often, the worst case scenario is that they are happy where they are, which may result in them politely declining the request. However, it is possible they are interested in new opportunities. You will never know for sure unless you ask!
Staffing Firms
Sometimes, working with a professional staffing firm is the right solution. If you find yourself without the time necessary to post openings, sort through resumes and applications, and schedule interviews, working with a staffing firm can take most of the strain out of hiring new employees. All you have to do is provide them with a job description, coordinate some details, and agree to the terms.
Once everything is in place, they can use their extensive recruitment resources to find you an ideal candidate. Then, all you need to do is conduct an interview, and you can remain focused on other priorities.
If you are looking for a staffing firm to work with you, Advance Staffing Solutions is here to help. Contact us today, so you can focus on your other priorities knowing that you have our experience working for you.
Use These Tips to Fit In Seamlessly at Your New Job
Starting a new job is intimidating. Even if you have all of the required skills, it can feel like a completely separate challenge to fit in with your new coworkers. To fit into your new workplace, pay attention to the following key aspects, and you’ll be part of the group in no time.
Learn the Company Culture
While you asked about things like the dress code before you started, there is much more to consider when it comes to the company’s culture. Pay attention to the communication styles of those around you, including your boss and co-workers. Examine how interactions between coworkers tend to occur and try to follow their cues. If everyone prefers to discuss the status of a project face-to-face, make sure you do the same. If your boss prefers emails over IMs, then act accordingly.
Before you personalize your space, exam the work areas of others nearby. This will give you an idea as to what is considered appropriate and what should be left at home. Feel free to use their example to determine if any adjustments to your wardrobe are appropriate, and if it needs to be dressed up or down for specific events, like casual Fridays or client meetings.
Make an Effort to Learn
Every workplace operates a little differently. Don’t stay rigid to your previous way of handling tasks if another approach is preferred for your new job. Be adaptable and open to suggestion, and take constructive criticism as an opportunity to integrate more completely into the position. Failing to adapt to their way of doing business can paint a picture that you are stubborn, and not easy to work with, which isn’t the kind of first impression you want to make.
The same effort should be put to learning your way around the office. Most jobs start with a tour of the area. Pay attention to where key items are located, such as the copier and break room. If you aren’t sure where something is located, see if you can figure it out on your own. If you do need to ask for directions, try to retain that information for later. That way, you aren’t asking the same questions repeatedly.
Accept Social Invitations
If your coworkers traditionally go out to lunch together once a week, or if there is an event on the horizon, accept any invitations to be included. These gatherings are premium networking time. You will get to know how everyone interacts on a more social level and may be introduced to other key members of the company. It will also give everyone a chance to get to know you, which will make them more comfortable too.
Keep Your Energy (Reasonably) Up
While no one expects you to become the office cheerleader, make sure to maintain a positive attitude. All new jobs come with some confusion, and you will likely make mistakes, but you don’t have to let these things dull your enthusiasm. Try to roll with the punches, and avoid getting discouraged. These issues will subside with time, and everyone goes through an adjustment period. Keep your chin up and smile. It will all turn out okay in the end.
If you are looking for an opportunity to join a new workplace, contact Advance Staffing Solutions today! Let their 25 years of staffing experience work for you.
Passion vs. Profession – Ask Yourself These 5 Questions Before Making a Career Decision
The idea of following your passion can seem like the ultimate achievement. If you are considering whether you should stay on your current path or change directions, consider these five questions to see if your passion is really where you should be headed, and whether or not this is a wise career decision.
Do you truly know where your passion lies?
While many people love the idea of following their passion, not everyone has something in their lives they are passionate about. We are raised to believe that our passion will be some kind of deep-seated need that simply cannot be ignored. While this will be true for some, others may not have found something that moves them to that level.
Others may have passions, but that doesn’t mean they necessarily connect to any particular job opportunities or career options.
Do you have a plan?
Unless your passion will immediately replace the income and benefits of your profession, a plan is necessary. This includes financial planning to deal with any changes in income, as well as covering for benefits that are attached to your current employer, such as medical insurance and retirement options.
Additionally, if following your passion is going to require additional resources, such as space to work or longer hours, you should examine how these changes will impact the rest of your commitments and plan accordingly.
Can you still make ends meet?
Regardless of the path you choose, certain expenses will need to be met. Even people who are completely debt free have monthly expenses, such as food and utilities. If you are going to follow your passion, it needs to be able to provide for you in a sustainable way, unless you have other mechanisms available to cover your costs.
For example, a dual income household may be able to cover all of the required expenses through one income, allowing the other person to potentially pursue their passion.
Does your passion provide value to others?
While you may be incredibly passionate about the topic, others may not feel the same way. In order for your passion to work as a profession, it must provide the kind of value that others want to support, ideally by becoming customers. This may require doing a large amount of research into the field, working on improving your education, and learning about the demand for the product or service.
Is there demand in the area you plan to operate?
In some cases, there may not be a high demand for a particular product or service in a particular geographically area, which can make it a difficult passion to pursue if the goal is oriented more towards direct interaction, such as through brick and mortar stores. In cases where the majority of the operations can be conducted online, demand can be examined based on a larger region.
At other times, the demand may exist, but high competition can pose a challenge. This can be apparent in many industries, such as restaurants. In these cases, you must determine how to differentiate yourself from other offerings.
Maybe You Just Need a Change?
In the end, you may not be frustrated with your current profession as much as you are with your current position. If it is possible that all you need is a change of scenery, consider other options in your current field, or a closely related one. If you need help finding new opportunities, the professionals at Advance Staffing Solutions have the expertise you need. Contact us today and take your career in a new direction.
Hiring Event – Monroe
Monroe Service Center
1531 N. Telegraph Rd. Monroe, MI
Wednesday, September 28th, 2016
9am-12pm
Bring 2 valid forms of ID and a resume
Must be at least 18 years of age
Have a Diploma/GED
Verifiable work experience in the last 12 months
Below are just a few of the positions we are accepting applications for:
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Packaging, 1st shift, Dundee, $9/hr
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Press/Production workers, All shifts, Monroe, $9/hr
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Janitorial, 2nd shift, Monroe,
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General Laborers, 1st & 2nd shifts, Carleton, $9/hr + Overtime
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Welders, 1st shift, Carleton and Dundee, $10-$15/hr
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Warehouse/Forklift/Quality, 1st/2nd shift, Monroe, $10.60/hr
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Delivery/Warehouse, 1st shift, Monroe, $10-$12/hr
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Sand Blaster, 1st/2nd shift, Monroe $12-14/hr + OT
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Assembly, 1st/2nd shift, Monroe, $12-13/hr + OT
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Part-Time Sales/Customer Service, Flex schedule, Monroe, $12-14/hr
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Assemblers, 3rd shift, Monroe, $13/hr
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Material Handlers/Machine Operators, 2nd/3rd shift, Monroe, $12-13/hr
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Production, 1st/2nd shift, Blissfield, $10/hr
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Machine Operator/Quality, 1st, Monroe, $10/hr + possible OT
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MIG Welder (FCAW/GMAW), Monroe, $14/hr
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Shipping/Receiving, 1st shift, Blissfield, $10/hr
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Maintenance Apprentice, 2nd shift, Monroe, $14/hr
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Administrative Assistant, 1st shift, Monroe, $10-12/hr
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Executive level Assistant, 1st shift, Carleton, Temp, $14-17/hr
*Not able to make it to our Open House/Job Fair but would like to be considered for a job opening? No problem! You can either send us your resume at monroejobs@advancestaffingsolutions.com or go to our website and apply online. Recruiters review resumes and applications on a daily basis and will contact you within 48 hours of receiving your information.
It’s a Candidate Market – Speed Up Your Hiring Process to Hire the Best Ones!
Hiring processes have lengthened over time. Many businesses have expanded their requirements to include more than a simple interview. Some have introduced group interviews, candidate presentations, multiple interview rounds, skills testing, and various skills or personality tests. As of 2015, the length of the average interview process was estimated at over 22 days.
If you think your lengthy hiring processes may be costing you, you could be right. With unemployment generally falling and the current candidate market, you can’t afford to wait, and here’s why.
The Best Candidates Don’t Wait Around
While shifts to a more thorough process may seem to make sense from a business perspective, these longer wait times can mean missing out on your ideal candidate. Those with the most talent likely have multiple opportunities in the works, and being late to the game, or dragging your proverbial feet, can mean that candidate won’t be there when the decision has finally been made.
You May Have to Offer Higher Pay
If the candidate is still there, it may cost you more to get them onboard if they are currently considering other offers. This can result in a bidding war, putting the candidate in the best negotiating position, and forcing two, potential rival, businesses to have to up the ante to keep the candidate interested.
Lengthy Hiring Processes Cost More Money
Not only do lengthy hiring processes require more time and energy, and could result in a bidding war, there are other costs in play as well. The longer the position remains vacant, the longer your business is operating without a person in a key position. If the position is in sales, then the effects may be very easy to see. For other positions, other staff members are having to work harder, or shift their priorities, to make up for the work that would traditionally be completed by another employee. If remaining employees are pushed too hard for too long, there may be damaging effects to morale and overall performance.
How to Speed Up Your Hiring Process
You do not have to sacrifice quality in order to speed up your hiring process. Begin by creating clear job requirements for the official posting. Focus on those requirements which are more concrete in nature, such as specific software experience, to help quickly remove any candidates who will not make the cut. Contact any other stakeholders in the business in advance to set aside interview times and dates before candidates are even reviewed. Avoid scheduling unnecessary interviews with candidates you know will not be suitable in order to fulfill some imaginary minimum.
Once you identify the ideal candidate, contact references and perform any background information quickly. If it is permitted, inform your prime candidate that they are currently on top and that certain formalities are the only items pending. Get a contract or formal offer ready, so it can be presented as soon as all required checks are complete.
Consider Outside Support
If your hiring process is still too lengthy, consider working with a staffing firm to help speed up your process, such as the professional at Advance Staffing Solutions. Not only can they perform prescreening duties on potential candidates, they can also speak with references and run other checks before referring the candidate to the position. This means, as soon as the right candidate comes along, you can make an offer immediately.
Contact Advance Staffing Solutions today and get your hiring process moving through the candidate market!
Is Your Company’s Leadership Emotionally Intelligent?
Emotional intelligence is an indication of a person’s ability to properly recognize and manage their emotions, based on four key areas: empathy, relationship management, self-awareness, and self-management.
Leaders will higher levels of emotional intelligence are often more capable in stressful situations, such as contract negotiations, and often has an advantage in more positive situations. These leaders are often capable of building stronger working relationships, as well as asserting themselves in leadership roles.
If you are looking for ways to raise your emotional intelligence and the emotional intelligence of other leaders within your organization, consider these tips.
Be Aware of Your Emotions
Being aware of your emotions is a first step towards improving one’s emotional intelligence. Practice tracking how your feelings shift throughout the day and try to identify the circumstances that cause each change.
Observe how your emotions affect your communication with others in the workplace, as well as your level of productivity. The point is not to judge yourself for what you feel, or how you react, but to connect the pieces to understand how various events impacted others as your emotions change throughout the day.
After some observation and internal auditing, you will be better equipped to identify negative emotions as they occur, allowing for better management of those feelings in a way that is constructive. This does not involve trying to push negative feelings out. Instead, understand how they affect your thought processes and work to prevent negative impulses.
Be Assertive and Appropriately Expressive
While assertiveness is known to be a key characteristic of solid leadership, expressing other emotions is not always noted. It is a sign of trust, and can make those you work with feel more comfortable about speaking openly with you. Part of this technique involves knowing when it is appropriate to share these emotions, as the goal should not be to harm others when these thoughts are expressed.
Communication as a Two-Way Street
Emotionally intelligent people take an active interest in the input of others, often asking relevant follow-up questions to keep the conversation flowing. However, it is important to not jump to questioning immediately, unless it is absolutely necessary. Instead, allow the speaker to complete their thoughts, wait for an appropriate pause, and then state your inquiry. Phrase questions in ways that promote more input that a simple yes or no, and continue to ask more focused questions to dig deeper into an issue.
Take Responsibility and Be Accountable
While it isn’t always easy to do, taking responsibility for a trespass is also an indicator of an emotionally intelligent leader. While some associate admitting to a mistake as weakness, many see it as a sign of self-awareness and honesty. It also demonstrates that you understand the value of the team and that you are actively trying to make things right.
Continue to Grow
Emotional intelligence is an ever-evolving aspect of leadership. It requires attention and patience, and a level of open-mindedness and empathy. By acknowledging your emotions, and identifying their sources, you will be better equipped to manage your responses or actions in a positive way. Additionally, it will provide you with insight into the actions and reactions of others, making you a more adaptable leader within the workplace.
Advance Staffing Solutions understands the value of emotionally intelligent leaders in the workplace. With over 25 years of experience in the staffing industry, let the professionals at Advance Staffing Solutions help you build a more effective team dynamic to create a more successful workplace. Contact Advance Staffing Solutions today!
